The Division of Student Development and the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs are delighted to announce the first "Last Lecture Series" at Saint Louis University. The Program started in 2003 in the Department of Housing and Residence Life with the First-Year Experience, SHOW ME Achievement Committee.

The concept of a "Last Lecture" became nationally recognized in 2007 with Dr. Randy Pausch, who gave his "Last Lecture" speech on September 18, 2007 at Carnegie Mellon. Pausch conceived of the lecture after he learned that his pancreatic cancer was terminal. Pausch's Last Lecture has been viewed by millions and can be viewed here.

Each year a faculty member will be selected from student nominations to speak for the Last Lecture series. The Last Lecture series provides an informal format for selected faculty to share reflections from their life's journey and to speak to students as if it was their last lecture ever. There are not any pre-determined boundaries for the program - the faculty member will be speaking from the premise, "If you knew this was your last lecture you would ever give, what would you share with students?"

The 2014 Last Lecture Speaker will beFather J. A. Wayne Hellmann OFM Conv.Professor of Medieval Christianity in the Department of Theology

Fr. Wayne Hellmann OFM Conv. grew up in Terre Haute, Indiana and joined the Franciscan friars while yet a college student. He then graduated from the University of Dayton and went to Rome for theological studies and while there he would skip classes to slip into sessions of the Second Vatican Council. It was that event in Rome that inspired him to move to Munich, Germany to pursue doctoral studies in theology at the Ludwigs-Maximilian University. Upon completion of his studies in Munich, he began his academic service at Saint Louis University, and this year he completes forty years here at SLU. During these years he has served as chair of the Department of Theological Studies and for his Franciscan brothers he also served as Minister Provincial. Fr. Wayne has lectured on Francis of Assisi and Franciscan theology/spirituality around the world. Africa is still his favorite continent. Yangon is his favorite city.

Fr Hellmann will address the community on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:00pm in the Saint Louis Room of the Busch Student Center. Please join us to see Fr. Hellmann's Last Lecture!

Dr. Kenneth Parker addresses his audience at the Spring 2010 Last Lecture Series.